Answering....from Mom

Today is Mother's Day and I thought it only appropriate to share something from Mom's journal.  I miss her very much.  You know, we all realize that we don't live forever here on this earth, but still feel like our parents will always be with us. And then they are not.

Proverbs 18:13  He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him.

Do not jump to conclusions.

Immediately direct your thoughts to God--

--Hold your tongue
--Don't retaliate
--Respond calmly
--Call on the Holy Spirit to help
--Don't respond immediately
--Seek God's direction
--Stop, think, wait, listen for God's answer
--The Holy Spirit will enable me
--Take that step of faith
--Meditate--as you meditate and discipline your mind, you will begin the reap            spiritual discernment and a clear sense of God's answer

Praise God, thank God

Nehemiah 5:7  after serious thought...(ponder, think, meditate on these things)

Psalm 25:4-5  Show me Your ways, Oh Lord, teach me Your paths.
Lead me...teach me.  For You are my God...On You I wait

Psalm 141:3  Set a guard over my mouth, Lord.  Keep watch over the door of my lips.

Philippians 1:27  Only let your conduct be worthy of the Gospel of Christ...that you stand firm in the Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the Gospel.

Colossians 3:17  ...whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Jesus.

Colossians 4:2  continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.

Colossians 4:7  Let your speech always be filled with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

Good advice from Mom.  I love the list she made.  I imagine with the exception of the meditation, that whole process would only take a few seconds of thought before I opened up my mouth.  It's like instead of tuning into to my emotions and opinions (I think, I feel, I want)  when I answer I change the channel and tune into the Holy Spirit (God thinks, God feels, God wants).  Couple this with time spent in prayer and meditation daily, a practice that teaches me how to listen for God's voice, and I bet a lot more of my speech would end up being beneficial for the hearers.  Ephesians 4:29  Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that we may benefit those who listen.  (I said I'd have to come back to that verse !!...it's got a lot of thought pondering to it!)

Lord, teach me to do this.  I want to start disciplining myself to tune into YOU.  I can see where the God visits are part of that.  It's all about seeking You in everything, looking for You in each moment.  Whether it's for answering others, finding you in the small, trusting you with the huge, it's all about turning my eyes upward and my ears toward Your Spirit.  Thank you for this process.

Please give my Mom a hug for me.  Thank you for letting her be my Mom on this earth.  I was and am still blessed for that privilege.